Tallinn (Estonia): A museum cooled by bay water

Water, a ubiquitous element in port regions, serves as both a landscape feature and a resource for energy efficiency, gaining even more relevance in the face of climate change. In a remarkable display of innovation, it can be harnessed for the heating and cooling systems of buildings, significantly enhancing their sustainability and contributing to carbon neutrality. The Estonian Maritime Museum used such an innovation for their massive early 20th-century seaplane hangars that were transformed into an exhibition gallery. The key to this transformation was the seawater heating system proposed by the Tallinn Technical University. This system ensured that the large 6,300 m2 exhibition hall was heated and cooled more sustainably than ever before.